Clutch fluid

Mt Tam I am · 07-12-2012, 09:39 AM

I just changed my brake fluid to DOT 5.1 and had enough left over to also change the clutch fluid. The old fluid with less than 13,000 miles was black and almost burnt looking.

Is it my imagination that the car shifts more smoothly now?

Thanks

ChrisSlicks · 07-12-2012, 09:49 AM

The improved hydraulic properties of the fresh fluid could make the clutch action smoother and hence make your shifts a little smoother. But most likely, yes, it is your imagination

Mt Tam I am · 07-12-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

The improved hydraulic properties of the fresh fluid could make the clutch action smoother and hence make your shifts a little smoother. But most likely, yes, it is your imagination

I've been told I have no imagination so haha on those folks.

6MT · 07-12-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I just changed my brake fluid to DOT 5.1 and had enough left over to also change the clutch fluid. The old fluid with less than 13,000 miles was black and almost burnt looking.

Is it my imagination that the car shifts more smoothly now?

Thanks

I wish I knew why manufacturers use such crappy fluid in all these systems (clutch, engine, transmission, differential). Besides, of course the obvious.... $$$.

ChrisSlicks · 07-12-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

I wish I knew why manufacturers use such crappy fluid in all these systems (clutch, engine, transmission, differential). Besides, of course the obvious.... $$$.

The clutch fluid gets nasty no matter what the fluid. I have had AP600 and Motul in there and after 1000 track miles it is dark and nasty looking. It seems to pick up a lot of contaminants, probably from the slave cylinder. The fact that it isn't even on the standard service item list is astounding.

6MT · 07-12-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

The clutch fluid gets nasty no matter what the fluid. I have had AP600 and Motul in there and after 1000 track miles it is dark and nasty looking. It seems to pick up a lot of contaminants, probably from the slave cylinder. The fact that it isn't even on the standard service item list is astounding.

Add to that the diff fluid... it's also nasty after only a couple of thousand miles.

Mt Tam I am · 07-12-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

Add to that the diff fluid... it's also nasty after only a couple of thousand miles.

With 500 track miles, do you think I should change the diff fluid as well?

josh@z1 · 07-12-2012, 12:24 PM

Also remember the clutch fluid on these cars should be changed a bit more often than other vehicles because the fluid gets "cooked" more having to travel inside the bellhousing and sitting there baking after long drives and track days.

It is definitely worth the $10 of Motul to change the clutch fluid every couple oil changes and before / after track days.

sig11 · 07-12-2012, 12:34 PM

Mine with 38k miles stunk almost as bad as diff fluid. I'm enlisting my girlfriend to help me flush it before every track day for a while... :P

So far I've done my diff fluid before every year tracking. I should probably up that now though.

07-12-2012, 09:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3842	Clutch fluid I just changed my brake fluid to DOT 5.1 and had enough left over to also change the clutch fluid. The old fluid with less than 13,000 miles was black and almost burnt looking. Is it my imagination that the car shifts more smoothly now? Thanks __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

07-12-2012, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	The improved hydraulic properties of the fresh fluid could make the clutch action smoother and hence make your shifts a little smoother. But most likely, yes, it is your imagination __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

07-12-2012, 12:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
josh@z1 The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Temple Posts: 178 Drives: Non Turbo S Rep Power: 16	Also remember the clutch fluid on these cars should be changed a bit more often than other vehicles because the fluid gets "cooked" more having to travel inside the bellhousing and sitting there baking after long drives and track days. It is definitely worth the $10 of Motul to change the clutch fluid every couple oil changes and before / after track days. __________________ Z1 Motorsports will beat any advertised price on Nissan OEM Parts! www.370ZParts.com (770) 838-7777 x303 -- Josh@Z1Motorsports.com -- AOL IM - JoshAtZ1

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07-12-2012, 12:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 17	Mine with 38k miles stunk almost as bad as diff fluid. I'm enlisting my girlfriend to help me flush it before every track day for a while... :P So far I've done my diff fluid before every year tracking. I should probably up that now though.